JACOB TIPPER: Why I wasn't celebrating Valverde like the Vuelta peloton
CYCLING WEEKLY|September 15, 2022
Alejandro Valverde received a guard of honour at his final Vuelta a España last week, a race the former world champion's completed 16 times. Considered a legend of the sport, Valverde has 133 pro wins.
JACOB TIPPER: Why I wasn't celebrating Valverde like the Vuelta peloton

However, he is also proof that in cycling doping bans are still more frowned upon than being actual deal breakers when it comes to teams, sponsors, and careers.

Valverde was banned retrospectively from 2010 to 2012 after his "alleged" blood bags were found in Operation Puerto. In 2009 he was ranked number one in the world and had won the Vuelta. His ban wasn't implemented until June 2010 so he had already won the Tour de Romandie.

This story is from the September 15, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.

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This story is from the September 15, 2022 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.

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